Month: August 2017

The stars came out for Game 6 of the Hawks-Wizards series. Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones was seated courtside next to Atlanta icons Quavo of the rap trio Migos and Gucci Mane.

In the heat of battle, they dished some friendly trash talk Wall’s way. He was more than willing to engage, serving up his best game of the playoffs as as he scored 42 points and ushered in the Hawks’ offseason. After the game, Sporting News’ Nubyjas Wilborn asked Wall what exactly he said to his famous friends. Wall and Beal took a not-so-subtle dig with a reference to Migos’ latest album.

Death did not stop the accolades coming for Craig Sager.

The late TNT sideline reporter was awarded his first Sports Emmy Tuesday as television sports reporter of the year.

Sager was first nominated for outstanding sports reporter in 2011, but lost out to NBC’s Michelle Tafoya. Sager, who died Dec. 15, 2016, following a lengthy battle with cancer, was also the 2017 recipient of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Curt Gowdy Media Award, given to outstanding basketball writers and broadcasters.

Sager was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame just two days before his death at the age of 65.

TNT posted a video tribute to Sager, who began working for Turner Sports in 1980, shortly after his passing.

Sager’s Emmy on Tuesday was the first of three on the night for Turner Sports, which also saw NBA analyst Charles Barkley win for best studio analyst and NCAA basketball analyst Bill Raftery win best sports event analyst.

Kevin Durant doesn’t have to play in the Warriors Game 3 matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers Saturday night. The Warriors are up 2-0 as the series shifts to Portland and are 1-0 without Durant in the lineup so far this series.

However, the question remains, when will Durant be back?

This is where Lue sees Smith potentially making a difference as the Cavs, despite their somewhat uninspiring start in this series, push for a 3-0 lead.

Defensively, just challenge Paul George, make his offensive life miserable, just make his offensive life hard and compete, Lue said. He’s going to make some shots — and some tough shots, at that. But just make him work. For everything he gets, no easy baskets, not falling asleep and losing him in transition and just bringing that defensive intensity and tenacity that he brought in Game 1.

Smith will be appearing in his 93rd career playoff game. He has been part of Cavaliers teams that reached the past two NBA Finals and won the championship in 2016. Lue said he had not yet been informed whether Smith will have any minutes restriction for this game.

Turning point: The fourth-quarter eruptions by Millsap and Schroder stand out, especially the big 3-pointers Schroder drilled when his primary defender dared him to shoot by going under ball screens. But it was what the Hawks did when Schroder was out that allowed him to play the part of the hero later in the game.

Randolph’s checkered past is well-documented as is his transformation into the face of the Grizzlies’ franchise, and he’s embracing his status as one of the game’s true OG’s. Peep the way he laughed it off and gave baby-faced Devin Booker a pat on the back after the second-year pro pushed him over this season.

But like Reggie Miller said on the broadcast, You gotta know you personnel. That’s one guy you really don’t want to mess with.

Big Baller Brand is aiming for Lonzos signature sneaker to tap into a new market above the athletic performance kicks from the likes of Nike, Jordan, adidas and Under Armour, but below the high-end designer shoes of Gucci, Prada or Louis Vuitton, according to SLAM.

And, get this Ball will have another and more expensive shoe, the ZO2 WET Autographs edition, that will cost $995.

Want a pair of these pricey sneakers? They are both available for pre-order at bigballerbrand.com.

Buyer beware, though the BBB website says it offers no refunds or exchanges.

What happened: The Spurs found their Spursiness again. Kawhi Leonard had another standard game of hyper-efficient scoring, putting up 28 points on 9-of-16 shooting after largely existing as a facilitator in the first half while facing constant double-teams.